Porto, Portugal and Vigo, Spain – September 24th, 2024: IncBio is proud to announce the successful commissioning of the methanol distillation column at the BioVigo biodiesel plant, ahead of the planned startup. Originally scheduled for October 2024, the commissioning was completed on September 24th, 2024, marking the successful conclusion of this important project.
The commissioning of the methanol column is a critical milestone for the BioVigo plant, which had been inactive since its construction in 2010. The new methanol recovery system will significantly improve the plant’s operational efficiency by recovering methanol from various process streams and purifying it to technical-grade quality. This reclaimed methanol will be reused within the biodiesel production process, reducing costs and supporting the plant’s environmental sustainability.
As part of the project, IncBio provided engineering support and developed the SCADA system—powered by Siemens software—to control and monitor the distillation process. This automation ensures real-time precision and operational reliability, allowing BioVigo to operate the methanol column with maximum efficiency.
José Marques, CEO of IncBio, commented: “The successful and early commissioning of the methanol distillation column is a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise. This project showcases the benefits of having a fully operational methanol recovery system, which not only enhances the plant’s profitability but also supports sustainability goals.”
With the methanol distillation column now fully operational, BioVigo is positioned to resume biodiesel production with increased cost-efficiency and reduced environmental impact.